POWDERLY, Ky. (6/10/14) — The Muhlenberg County School Board had its monthly meeting Monday evening.

The board formally recognized the Muhlenberg County High School Fishing Team that won the KHSAA Bass Fishing State Championship recently at Kentucky Lake.

Team members Cameron Brooks and Chase Geary won with a two-day total of 33 pounds and 6 ounces. This is only the second year the team has competed. The board expressed its pride in the team.

Cameron BrooksChase Geary

The board recognized McKenzie Johnson for her superior softball skills with her .485 batting average, and the fact she was the Messenger-Inquirer All-Area Player of the Year for girls high school softball.

McKenzie Johnson

The board also recognized Kyle Moore as Third Region Player of the Year for High School Baseball. Kyle had 52 base hits last season and played both pitcher and second base.

Kyle Moore

The board then went over the treasure's report which at the end of May was a balance of $10,270,000. The treasure said the balance will drop after the end of the year payouts. The board also approved the payment of bills and salaries.

During the public participation phase, Jeff Dukes expressed his disappointment with the board's decision, in regard to the book, "The Glass Castle", which is required reading in 11th grade.

Dukes said that the board does have legal standing to remove this book from use as classroom material, and that the authority was backed up by court decisions and actions taken by superintendents in other Kentucky counties.

Dukes said that the board's suggestion that students skip over parts they do not want to read is not feasible as the students are tested over the material. Dukes said the book contains material about the molestation of a young boy, the rape of a young girl, a girl being prostituted out by her father, sexual depictions of a 12-year-old girl, and that the book is nothing more than pornography with language that would not be tolerated at this board meeting or at the schools.

The board thanked Dukes for his comment.

Bob Edmund was next to speak. He also addressed the board about "The Glass Castle."

Edmund said he has a child going into the 11th grade next year, and he does not want his child to read this book. Edmund believes that the school board has a moral and educational obligation to keep this book from children.

The board then thanked Edmund for his comments.

The administrative report was given next. This report gave the district attendance rate at 93.88 percent with a total enrollment of 5,003 students down 11 from last year. The board voted to accept the report.

A construction update was then given concerning work at MCHS West Campus.

The flooring is about to be put in, most infrastructure is already put in and working. The door frames are about finished and the building should be secure in a few days. The building will be ready for the fall term.

The board approved the use of $27,607 as matching funds for a state technology construction grant. This is the second time the board has made use of this grant.

The board then agreed to hold its next board meeting in Martin Hall, as they normally have a retirement dinner there for employees.

In other business, the board to accept KSBA policy updates, which includes 28 new policy changes, during first reading. The exact policies were not discussed. The board also voted to approve a second reading of procedure updates recommended to the board. The procedural updates were not specifically addressed in the meeting.

Some exciting news for Bremen was discussed as the board approved an initial BG1 filing to get the ball rolling on building a new ball field for the Bremen Elementary School. Bremen has not had a ball field for quite some time, and the board wants a field available for student use.

The board also approved a preliminary schematic for the field though many changes may be made to the plan. The total amount for the project was not discussed, however, a ball field alone with no restrooms would cost about $250,000.

Physicals for transportation employees were then discussed as bids for these physicals were taken by the board. The board awarded the contract to Baptist Health in Powderly, who will provide them for $75.

Security Cameras for the new Tech Wing at MCHS were next on the agenda as the board approved a motion to allow the current contractor to place the wiring for the camera security system during the new construction phase for a cost of $7,059.

The board decided to use the current contractor. The 13 cameras will be placed in the building after construction.

The board also discussed placing nine IP security cameras in Martin Hall, to be connected to the current server at the school. The expenditure was just over $10,000 and was approved by the board.

The last item discussed before the board went into executive session was the top pressing of the MCHS band field. The board found the baseball field also needed attention. The board approved an expenditure of approximately $5,600 to fix the band field, the baseball field, and, if needed, the softball field.

The board authorized the district to file substitute teacher emergency forms for the 2014-2015 school year.

The board then went into executive session to discuss personnel issues. After coming back into open session, the board reviewed and approved the superintendent's annual evaluation and adjourned.